Welcome, Albion Elementary Teachers!


Albion%20Elementary%20Building%20Large%20Web%20view.jpg

I have created this wiki in hopes that it will give us a common place to share self-created materials, useful websites, and helpful ideas! I realized that many of us were creating forms for similar purposes. Now, I personally HATE to reinvent the wheel, so I figured that maybe we could help each other out.

This first page will help guide you in the use of this wiki. It is really quite simple! Once you get the hang of it, you can visit any of the other pages and add comments, URLs, files, or suggestions. You can also post a question or start a conversation by using the Discussion tab found at the top of the page. If you need any help, let me know!!

OK...let's get started!

What exactly is a wiki?
A wiki is a collaborative online tool that allows anyone to add or edit material. A wiki can be used to share ideas and materials, as a guide for student activities and lessons, or even as a place to build your family tree. To learn more (including how to create a family tree with a wiki), stop by Annette Lamb's Learning Spaces: Collaborative Web and Wikis.

How do I add content?

  • Creating a New Page:
    • WikiNewPage.jpg








    • Select "New Page" from the top, right hand corner
    • Give your page an appropriate name
    • Start adding and editing!

  • Adding Your Page to the Menu
    • You will need to create a link to your page either from one of the main pages or in the menu. If you are linking from a main page, you just need to follow the "How do I create an active link?" directions below. If you need to add it to the menu, here's what you do!
      • Click "Edit Navigation" found at the bottom of menu
      • Go to where you want to add the page and type the name of the page
      • Then follow the "How do I create an active link?" directions below. You will be able to select an "existing page" OR you can create a new page by typing in the page's name and hitting enter.



  • Save Your Work...Save Often!!
    • Just like we tell our students, whenever you add something that you like, SAVE!!! I have gotten carried away with adding a lot of content only to have my computer freeze. Sometimes you will get lucky because the wiki does periodically save "drafts". If so, it will offer you the option to open the "last draft" for editing.



  • Adding Text to an Existing Page
    • Select "Edit This Page" from the top right-hand corner
    • You will see the Editor Toolbar at the top of the screen.

  • WikiEditorToolbar.jpg
    • Very similar to adding text to MS Word, select a spot on the page and type away! (You may need to hit a few "enters" to get down further on the page.)
    • Just like MS Word, you can bold (B), italicize (I), and underscore (U) your words, although it is generally advisable not to underscore writing on the web as it often signals a URL link.
    • You can change text color, size, and font by selecting "Color and Style" (A).
    • I recommend only using a Heading selection for titles. I have experienced difficulties if I try to use it to increase paragraph font size.


  • How do I create an active link?
    • First type in the words that you want hyperlinked. This could possibly be the title of the page or the web address.
    • Highlight only what you want to be hyperlinked. You can link to another page on the wiki or a different website.
    • Click the "Insert Link" button

  • WikiLinks.jpg
  • Select your linking option (wiki page or an external link)WikiInsertFiles.jpg
    • Type in the URL or wiki page name and click "OK"
    • Save and test out your link!


  • How do I add pictures?
    • Select "Insert Images and Files" from the Editor Toolbar
    • Browse for the image on your computer and then Upload
      • Important Note: Everything that we upload is all stored in the same location. Please make sure your image and file names are unique in order to avoid accidently saving over someone else's work!
    • At any time and on any page you can come back here and add the image by double clicking
    • Edit the image by choosing its alignment and adding a caption or URL if you so desire.
    • I recommend resizing by clicking on the actual image.
    • Save and check to see how it looks!

  • How do I add files?
    • Select "Insert Images and Files" from the Editor Toolbar
    • Browse for the image on your computer and then Upload
    • Important Note: Everything that we upload is all stored in the same location. Please make sure your image and file names are unique in order to avoid accidently saving over someone else's work!
    • At any time and on any page you can come back here and add the image by double clicking
    • The file will appear in double brackets [ ] around the file name. Highlight and drag the file to where you want it to appear on the page.
    • Save and check to see if it works!



  • What happens if I share something that I have created?
    • When you upload an image or file, it is then available to anyone on the Internet. Please only share the files and images that are yours to share AND that you don't mind if someone else uses. If there is a file that you would like to share with the staff but do not want out there for just anyone, then you should e-mail it directly.



  • Any other questions?
    • Those are some of the questions and issues I dealt with as I learned to use the wiki. If you have any other questions, add them here! I (or someone else!!) will add the answer! If you need it answered right away, then e-mail me! :-)




Ok...now for a little fun! Check back here for your Daily Dose (of Encouragement)! *L*